Original concept by Korra
Written by MechaG11

Part One: The World of Remnant Arc
-Chapter 6: Paths

Hazel, Emerald, and Mercury find themselves in the halls of an Atlesian facility in Vale, moving hastily but cautious at the same time. Using security bypasses provided by Watts, the team managed to breach the facility with the alarms and cameras disabled. While security knew something was wrong, it would take time to notify all personnel in the building. For now, Atlesian reinforcements would not arrive in time to intercept the team for the moment. Still aware that they could encounter guards at any turn, Emerald was ready to activate her semblance at a moment's notice. With Hazel at their side they were ready to take on any typical Atlas security detail, maybe even more than that. Perhaps they were being overcautious, but recent developments taught them that anything could go wrong.

Emerald peeks around a corner and motions for them to stop, noting the two guards posted near a door. After eyeing the label above it she was relieved to see it was in fact their destination. Good to know the effort she went through interrogating that poor night guard was worth the trouble this morning. She gestures to Mercury for assistance. He nods, following her slowly. Using her semblance she telepathically makes Mercury and herself invisible to the pair of guards. In seemingly one movement, the two dashed towards their targets. Mercury quickly tripped up the guards, forcing them into the air. Emerald drew her blades and leapt to meet them. In one movement she slices at their throats. Her victims fall to the ground, completely unaware of how or why they met their end. She shook the blood off of her blades before resting them in standby mode on her back.

Hazel walked out once the scene was clear. He had to admit that, while he knew the pair bickered often, Mercury and Emerald were a good team when they wanted to be. Cinder's choice to recruit them was not unfounded, even if she was forced to put up with their banter. He approached the door and allowed the security panel to scan a card for clearance, yet another gift courtesy of Watts. Hazel scowled "Pray that your intel was right. You realize how difficult things will become if it isn't."

"I'm certain." Emerald replied uneasily. She was sure of her intel despite what her face said. She was not nervous about the intel, but rather what they might find on the other side of the door. She almost wished she was wrong on some level so she wouldn't have to face what was inside. The door slid open, granting them access to the storage room. Inside were numerous shelves and crates containing highly valued objects and samples and the like. In most cases Emerald would have the mind to steal some of the notable prizes within, but her mind solely focused on one target. Resting in the back of the room was a large rectangular crate sporting several lights and a large glass view-panel. Emerald approached it and placed her hand on the cold glass. In that moment she hesitated, fearing to confirm what she had already heard echoed in news all across Remnant. She wiped away the fog from the glass and gasped. Cinder was resting within, her body cold as winter. Emerald's hand tensed up, her breathing becoming unsteady, and tears starting to form from her eyes. She had known this truth for weeks, but only now was she forced to accept the reality. "No…" she uttered before covering her mouth and falling to the floor to weep.

"Hey! This is not the time to fall apart on us. Pull it together!" Mercury growled.

Hazel approached Cinder's container to confirm it himself. "Humph, unfortunate." he stated. He reached for a switch near the bottom of the coffin, activating a mobile configuration for easier transportation. Hazel grabbed the handle for it and positioned the coffin for their eventual exit. Looking to Emerald, he demanded "Get up, girl. You still have a job to do." Despite his order, Emerald didn't respond. She sat still as if she didn't hear him. Hazel sighed "Perhaps I should rephrase that." Hazel realized simply barking orders at her would prove unfruitful. Instead, Hazel redirects Emerald's focus back to Cinder. "You need to get her out of here."

Emerald sniffled and looked to the coffin. Her mind was fixed on her powerlessness before now. In the end she couldn't save Cinder, she wasn't there for her final moments, and was denied the right to even say goodbye. Cinder would never know the truth of how important she was in her life. All that was left was to give her a proper burial. To the world Cinder Fall wouldn't be worth the dirt she was buried under, but to Emerald Cinder was the world. That love was enough to make her see Cinder's body taken out of this facility. In time she will be allowed to lay her mentor to rest.

With her new goal in sight, Emerald wiped her face of tears and found the will to stand. Hazel allowed her to take hold of the coffin before they departed. Mercury placed his hand on her shoulder, making Emerald dart up to meet his stern eyes. He nodded in reassurance, and then moved in position to escort the coffin. He wouldn't say it, but to some degree he owed Cinder just as Emerald did. This was the least he could do after all that's happened. Together the three quietly exited the facility, silencing all guards they met along the way. Atlesian reinforcements did arrive that day, but the intruders were already gone and the body of Cinder Fall missing.

Kal El stood high above Vale, overlooking the city atop a tower. Here he could witness his work, the effort of the people here, his new allies, and how small it all was. Diana approached from behind, rubbing her partner's back as she stood beside him. "It's strange, starting over again." she said.

"That may be, but this fresh start birthed leagues of progress in such a short amount of time. I'd consider us lucky for that." Kal said with a grin. Kal was dead set on restarting the Regime once again. In a matter of weeks since they had arrived on Remnant, they managed to bolster their numbers from a handful of allies to a proposal to unify the governments of the world. In Remnant's darkest hours Kal and his team were delivered as the answer to their struggles. Perhaps it was fate that they came when they did.

Diana held Kal, "It's not just our circumstance I found strange. In the time since we came here, you've been acting…different. If I'm being honest I'm yet to fully understand how."

Kal chuckled. "Am I now?" He looked to the horizon. "No, I think I'm fine Diana. I just believe that after all that's happened I suppose I simply...learned something." He looks down to the city lights below. "The people need guidance. They need something to protect them from themselves. That much hasn't changed, even here. However when you attempt to force that protection upon them, as I did, they will reject it."

Diana seemed confused. "Then why restart the Regime now?" she asked.

Kal looked to her "Because they realized they needed us. Not told to. The people of Remnant came to their own conclusion. I've realized that now. If there is something for humanity to unite against, then they will cooperate. They will trust you with power. In their eyes I won't be their enemy. Not like I was to the Insurgents."

"I see." replied Diana. "By forgoing outright domination, whilst proving our dependability and necessity, we are given control."

Kal nods. "We will watch over humanity, as we always have. In time I believe we will be asked to lead them."

Diana smiled and leaned closely on Kal "A brighter future." she says. She places her hand upon his chest, and he takes it in kind. The two gaze into the horizon, envisioning what days lay ahead.

Nora and Ren walked across a training yard together. It was sometime before noon, and they were looking for Jaune. They spotted a locker room after some searching. They peeped inside, finding a familiar blonde equipping his Huntsman gear. "Jaune?" Nora asked.

Jaune barely turns, quietly saying "Hi guys." He turned back to his things and continued arming himself.

Nora looked at Ren with a concerned expression. Ren met her gaze, and then took a step towards Jaune stating "We wanted to know if you'd be willing to spend some time with us. Get some lunch together…as a team."

Jaune didn't look back this time. He finished adjusting his armor before sheathing his sword. "Sorry guys, but I've got training to do today."

Nora spoke up "You've been training for days Jaune. You can't just spend all your time solely doing this. It's like you've got nothing else better to do."

"Because it's what I have to do Nora." said Jaune.

Ren puts his hand to Jaune's shoulder. "But you're overexerting yourself Jaune. Rest, patience, focus. These are also essential parts of training."

Jaune removes Ren's hand, retorting "I am focused, Ren. Trust me guys, I'm fine."

Nora quickly blocked Jaune's way and snapped at him "No, you're not fine, Jaune! I know why you're doing this. I know you're hurting but you don't have to shoulder this alone."

Jaune replied "You guys don't understa-"

"What Jaune?! What don't I understand?" barked Nora. "You weren't the only one who lost her that day. You think you're so alone in this but you're not." Nora's eyes began to water.

"But I am alone, Nora!" Jaune said, raising his voice. "I was the only one there when she left. The only one who maybe could've stopped her and every day I think about what I should've done in that moment. Anything and everything I could've said to keep her from sending me away to watch her march towards her own death."

"Jaune…" uttered Nora.

Jaune continued, his speech becoming uneasy. "S-she left me there. Left me because I wasn't strong enough to help her when it mattered mo- Rrrgh! Damn it!" Jaune slipped off his left glove and angrily threw it at a locker across the room. He dropped to the bench beneath him and leaned face down with his hands grasping his head. "…I-I can't help but think that I'm the reason she's dead." Jaune finally began to weep.

Nora and Ren seated themselves on each side of Jaune, putting their arms around him for comfort. Try as they might to stay composed so they could console Jaune, they couldn't help but shed tears of their own. Nora fought to say the words, but mustered the strength speak. "It's not your fault! Don't ever say that. I know for a fact that she did what she did to protect you."

Ren chimed in "Besides, we all know when she set her mind to something-"

"You couldn't talk her out of reaching her goal." Jaune said, finishing Ren's sentence. Ren nodded in response. Jaune sighed. "I'm sorry I said that."

Jaune looked to both Nora and Ren, meeting their smiles with his own. He was looking a bit more like himself now. He gets up, the other two following suit. They take a moment to wipe their tears away and calm themselves down. Jaune states "We all made a promise to her that day. We're going to get stronger, and protect everyone." Ren and Nora nod at him. "Wwwhich means sorry guys, but I still think I'm going to be training today."

Nora pouted. "You won't be getting any training done today!" she said in a serious tone. Jaune was confused by Nora's strangely serious objection. "…not without US anyway!" she exclaimed, giving Jaune a playful shake on the shoulders.

"But I didn't bring my gear today…" uttered Ren.

"Thanks guys." said Jaune, feeling encouraged. The moment was suddenly interrupted by their stomachs all rumbling loudly in unison. The three all stop in place. "…mmmaybe we should get food first." Jaune said.

"I know just the place!" exclaimed Nora, excitedly. She zips out of the locker room at full speed. Ren starts making his way out before Nora popped back in suddenly, exclaiming "Oh, and don't forget your glove!" As soon as the words escaped her mouth she was gone again.

"Oh, right." said Jaune. He made his way over to where he threw his glove and retrieved it. He looked to his hand for a moment and reflected on himself. His goal was in sight, razor focused on his own improvement. He wasn't ready then, but now? He was dead set on nothing short of excellence, and now his friends were there to help him reach it. He slips the glove back onto his hand, walks out of the room.

Yang looked to the light illuminating the land. She closes her eyes, arms raised to her side, takes a deep breath, and takes it all in. She was finally able to embrace sunlight and breathe in the fresh air, no longer restricted to a room and bed. After many weeks of healing she was given the OK to be released from the hospital. She smiled knowing she could finally take her freedom back. Now that she was free to go where she pleased, she contemplated what she would do first.

It was close to noon, so she figured grabbing a bite to eat wasn't a bad place to start. The problem was what restaurant to stop by. With the damage done to Vale she wasn't sure which places were open due to the reconstruction. She walks into town, figuring she'll just eyeball someplace she knows. Upon going through she was surprised to see how lively and clean the streets were. Construction efforts were underway, but she didn't think so much would be rebuilt so quickly. Maybe she should've paid more attention to what the News was saying. After traveling about a block Yang was delighted to see one of her favorite burger joints was still open.

Earlier in the day Ruby messaged her that she'd be undergoing combat practice with Weiss and Blake, so Yang knew where they'd be by now. She figured she'd pick up some food for them too and get to them before lunchtime started. When going into the restaurant she was very happy to see not much of it changed. It must've been relatively untouched during the invasion from a month beforehand. Luckily the line was short. Giving her enough time to think about what she'd be getting for everyone. She spoke to the cashier and ordered it to go. She reached for her lien, having some difficulty opening her wallet with only one hand. She paid and after some waiting the order was finally ready. Yang paused, realizing she didn't consider having to carry both the food and the drink carrier. It wasn't impossible, but it would make things difficult with this much food on hand. She thanked the employee and reached for her food, trying to figure out how she'd grasp it all in her left hand.

A pair of hands come by and takes the drink carrier. "Need some help, Firecracker?" Yang turned her head slightly to find Uncle Qrow at her side. Qrow took the carrier for her while she took the bag.

"Thanks Qrow." Yang said.

Qrow chuckled. "Don't feel like you gotta thank me. Just let me steal a few of your fries and we'll call it even."

"You can have a whole one of my burgers." Yang replied. "Blake never finishes hers anyways so I'll be good." The two started to make their way out of the restaurant, but something caught Yang's ear. Several people dining there recognized her. They watched and whispered about her thinking she didn't notice. They've probably been doing this since she came in. She just didn't catch onto it until just now.

Qrow looks to those people and back to Yang. "Pay no attention to them, Yang. Let's just go." he spoke in a low voice.

They exited the restaurant. As much as Yang wanted to ignore them, she knew exactly what they were talking about. The last the world saw of her was shooting a weakened student after winning her tournament fight. To them it was a show of bad sportsmanship, and an unnecessarily violent act. One more thing she had to struggle with when it came to her image. A fight she was already battling on the inside. Qrow tried to comfort her about it. People will always talk and spread rumors. With a semblance like Qrow's, and probably due to the alcoholism as well, he'd know it better than anyone. Yang knew her truth with what happened that day of the tournament, and at least felt secure in that sense. Still, the whisperings of others were going to grate on her. Even if she knew it was probably better to ignore them.

Yang and Qrow eventually made it to the training yard where Ruby, Weiss, and Blake were. They stopped by a bench, placing the food down. Doing what he said he'd do, Qrow proceeds to steal a couple fries "Well Yang, I've got to head out. You go have your fun, okay?"

Yang nods "I will Uncle Qrow, thanks!" She watches him go before hearing her sister calling her name.

"Yang!" yelled Ruby. She runs towards Yang. The blonde stands, ready to receive an incoming hug by her lightning fast sibling. Not quite able to react fast enough, Yang wasn't fully able to prepare for Ruby's impact. Perhaps weeks in bed made her reaction times a bit dull. Weiss and Blake soon came after, calling to Yang as well. Yang was embraced by all three of them in one big group hug.

She felt a bit squished, but appreciated the love. "I uh, brought you guys some takeout. The usual stuff for each of you."

"Oh my gosh you're the best!" exclaimed Ruby. She stops hugging Yang so she could zip over to the bag, already unwrapping everything and acquiring her meal. After the hard training they've gone through today, Weiss and Blake felt famished and eagerly accepted.

After the three girls finished grabbing all of their respective foods Yang went for her share. "Oh." She said. She holds up a single burger "Looks like Qrow forgot to grab the burger I bought him before he left."

A crow caws, swiftly swooping in and taking the burger right out of her hand. Yang froze with a surprised expression on her face, shocked that that even happened. It was the crow's burger now.

Ruby swallowed, before saying "Just his luck. I guess that's Uncle Qrow for ya."

The girls all chuckled. Yang finished unwrapping her food, feeling at ease. That was the first time she had laughed in a while. She realized she didn't want to worry about what the people outside thought of her. No, she was with her friends. They were all that mattered right now. Today she was going to eat a good burger, she was going to spend time and laugh with her friends, and have a good day doing it.

End of Chapter 6